CHARITABLE SOLICITATION REGISTRATION

All charitable organizations that intend to solicit contributions within the Commonwealth of Virginia or have funds solicited on its behalf, unless exempt under the Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law (VSOC), are required to file an initial registration statement prior to any solicitation. Registration is filed with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP), which is responsible for the administration of the VSOC. Registration with OCRP does not imply endorsement of a public solicitation for contributions.

Registered Charitable Organization Database

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Instructions to Register a Charitable Organization

Read registration instructions and additional information for charitable organizations.

Organizations may register for charitable solicitation and submit payments through the following options:

Option 1: Online Registration and Payment

Registered organizations may access the online system using their registration code and submit applications and payments through the Evoke platform.

Option 2: Paper Registration and Payment

Mail your completed application and check (payable to " Treasurer of Virginia ") to:

Mailing Address:
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
P.O. Box 526
Richmond, VA 23218-0526

Note: All Charitable Solicitation Forms are located in the forms section.

Fee Schedule
Forms Initial Fee Annual Fee Late /
Lapsed Fee
Form 100 Exempt Charitable/Civic Organization $10.00
n/a n/a
Form 102 Charitable Organization $100.00 Variable, based on financial information Late filers must file initial registration
Form 103 Professional Fundraising Counsel $100.00 $100.00 n/a
Form 104 Professional Solicitor $500.00 $500.00 $250.00

Read all Solicitation of Contributions Definitions in accordance with the Code of Virginia.

Charitable organization
means any person that is or holds itself out to be organized or operated for any charitable purpose, or any person that solicits or obtains contributions solicited from the public. Charitable organization does not include (i) any church or convention or association of churches, primarily operated for nonsecular purposes and no part of the net income of which insures to the direct benefit of any individual; (ii) any political party as defined in § 24.2-101 or any political campaign committee or political action committee or other political committee required by state or federal law to file a report or statement of contributions and expenditures; or (iii) any authorized individual who solicits, by authority of such organization, solely on behalf of a registered or exempt charitable organization or on behalf of an organization excluded from the definition of charitable organization.

Solicit and solicitation
mean the request or appeal, directly or indirectly, for any contribution on the plea or representation that such contribution will be used for a charitable purpose, including, without limitation, the following methods of requesting such contribution:
  1. Any oral or written request,
  2. Any announcement to the press, over the radio or television, or by telephone or telegraph concerning an appeal or campaign to which the public is requested to make a contribution for any charitable purpose connected therewith;
  3. The distribution, circulation, posting, or publishing of any handbill, written advertisement, or other publication that directly or by implication seeks to obtain public support; or
  4. The sale of, offer, or attempt to sell, any advertisement, advertising space, subscription, ticket, or any service or tangible item in connection with which any appeal is made for any charitable purpose or where the name of any charitable or civic organization is used or referred to in any such appeal as an inducement or reason for making any such sale, or when or where in connection with any such sale, any statement is made that the whole or any part of the proceeds from any such sale will be donated to any charitable purpose
Does my organization have to register?

Every charitable organization (not required to be non-profit) that intends to solicit contributions within the Commonwealth, or have funds solicited on its behalf, must file an initial registration statement with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (OCRP) prior to any solicitation, unless the organization falls under the exclusions listed in the definition of “charitable organization.”

What if my organization’s financial statements are not going to be ready by our renewal date?

If the organization’s financial statements are not going to be completed in time to file the renewal registration on or before the renewal date, the organization may request an extension of time to file. Missing the deadline without an extension leads to an organization being lapsed, and they must file an initial registration rather than renewal.

How can a request for an extension be made?

An organization may request an extension by submitting a written request to the OCRP. The request for extension may be submitted by one of the following methods:

  1. Email: ocarpunit.vdacs.virginia.gov
  2. Fax: 804.225.2666
  3. Mail:
    Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    102 Governor Street
    Richmond, VA 23219

    The postmark must be on or before the renewal date.

Should we file on the Form 100 or the Form 102?

It is important for each organization to first review the Form 100 to determine if the organization’s entire activities fits under one of the exemption categories. If the organization finds an exemption that it feels qualified for, the organization should complete and file the Form 100. If it is determined the organization does not qualify for the exemption from filing, the organization would then be required to file using the Form 102.

If after reviewing the Form 100, the organization recognizes they do not qualify for any of the exemption categories, the organization should file the Form 102.

Does the registration to solicit have to be renewed?

If the organization filed Form 100 and was granted an exemption to the filing requirements, the registration does not have to be renewed. If the organization filed on the Form 102, a yearly renewal is required.

How do we know when our renewal is due?

The registration is due on or before the 15th day of the 5th calendar month of the next fiscal year . Example: If the organization’s fiscal year-end is December 31st, the renewal registration is due on or before May 15th of the following year.

We have someone asking for proof of our registration with OCRP. Is there a way for us to find this if we’ve misplaced our letter from OCRP granting our registration?

This letter can be found in the Evoke platform after you have linked your account.

We’d like to overnight our registration materials to ensure receipt by OCRP by our renewal date. What street address should be used?

Fees will not be incurred if registration packets are postmarked on or before the renewal date. To overnight registration materials, please use the following address:

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Are you a Charitable Organization Soliciting in Multiple States?

If your charitable organization is soliciting contributions in multiple states, you may utilize the Unified Registration Statement (URS) to register in Virginia and other states that accept the URS. For more information about the URS, please visit the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO) website.

Register Online: Evoke Platform

Learn how to register and submit payments online through Evoke. Instructions, video tutorials, and frequently asked questions are below.

Follow these steps to register and submit charitable solicitation applications and payments online using the Evoke system.

Step 1: Create a Charitable Solicitation Evoke Account

Step 2: Log in to the Charitable SolicitationRegistration Application

Note: If your organization is already registered, enter the registration code and choose the person or business/organization to Link to Entity and access your information.

Step 3: Select, Complete, and Submit the Appropriate Application

How do I access the system?

Registered organizations will receive instructions and a registration code to link to their information in the new system. New applicants may visit the site to register for an account, submit applications and pay fees. Third party filers should create an account and contact their registered organization for the corresponding registration code.

How do I receive my registration code?
Currently registered organizations will receive their registration code at the email address on file or by mail. The registration code should be shared with those needing access.

Can I still submit paper forms?
Yes, paper forms and payments are still accepted.

Charitable Solicitation Forms

Find downloadable forms and instructions for filing charitable solicitation registrations.

Laws & Rules

Charitable Solicitation Complaints

The OCRP investigates complaints where there is an alleged violation of the VSOC law by a charitable organization or its professional fundraiser while soliciting contributions in Virginia. Complaints may be submitted online or by mail.

Online Complaint

Mail Complaint

  1. Download, print and complete the Charitable Solicitation Complaint Form
  2. Mail to:
    Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs
    Charitable Programs Unit
    P.O. Box 1163
    Richmond, VA 23218

Contact

If you have questions regarding your filing or registration process, please contact:
OCARPUnit.VDACS@vdacs.virginia.gov.

804.786.1343

Visit the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs directory.

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